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February School Teacher for Nigeria Update

January 31, 2015

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Do you ever wonder about the Nigerian United Methodist students that the Iowa Conference supports at school here in Iowa? What their background is? About their families they leave in Nigeria? Here is the story of Adams Davidson, a junior at Western Iowa Technical Community College in Sioux City.

I write with a humble heart to express my profound gratitude and to say a big THANK YOU to the entire United Methodist family in Iowa for their support toward my education. The Iowa Nigeria Partnership (INP) has done so much that words cannot express. I am very thankful for such a wonderful gift toward my college education.

It is through your support, I am working toward my Associate Degree in Networking Administration and Security and I plan to graduate in the spring of 2015. My goal for after I graduate is to attend a four-year University where I will earn my Bachelor Degree in Networking Administration and Security.

I was faced with lots of challenges in life. I was born and raised in a remote village in Nigeria, where there is no elementary school. I had to walk seven miles away to the only nearby elementary school. Because of my interest in school, I had to run away to a small town where I stayed with my uncle so that I could go to high school. I had to work on a farm after school hours to raise the money required for my high school education. I would go out to the fields to search for work on corn, rice and sugarcane farms for money. I continued to do that for six years before I graduate from high school.

Like any other dreaming child for a better future, I had a dream of studying in the United State and majoring in medicine, so that I could help the poverty stricken people within my community that were dying from snake bites and malaria due to lack of medical care. As I could not afford paying for college after graduation from high school, my dream slowly died off. I therefore concentrated on supporting my siblings in getting their high school and college education. Ten years after I graduated from high school, I later attended a computer school where I graduated with a graduate diploma in information technology. I worked in several departments and Ministries in my State on Temporary Engagement. I was later called by the United Methodist Church in Nigeria to work at the Computer and Communication Center of the United Methodist Church where I started a computer training program at Beverly Nolte Communication Centre (BNCC).

During my work with the United Methodist Church in Nigeria at the Beverly Nolte computer and Communication center, I was able to trained and graduate over three hundred youth most of which are members of the United Methodist Church in Nigeria. Within the seven years of my service, I feel there is need for me to have more knowledge in computer so that I can help the teaming population of our youth and young adult that lack computer knowledge and how to use it to be successful in their academic pursuit. I had to make a move even without a support from the church or government.

In the process of coming to school here in the United State, I have to sale my plots of land and my personal belonging to raised money so that I can attend college after getting the admission to study at Western Iowa Tech. The money I raised could not pay for my tuition for the academic year. Thanks to the churches, friends, and well-wishers in Iowa through INP, I continue to receive support for my education.

On my arrival to The United State to start my schooling on the 11th January, 2013 during cold winter, I was received and presented with warm cloths and blanket at the airport. Since my arrival to this moment, I continue to receive support from friends and churches. One month later, I lost my father. As eldest son of 16 siblings according to culture, the elder’s son is charge with the responsibilities to manage the family. I decided to go home to pay my last respect to my father and have a family meeting with my siblings; I was supported with air ticket that enable me opportunity to go home to pay a last respect, and condole my aging mother and my sibling. I will continue to say thank you for such a heartfelt love and care.

Have the responsibility to take care of my siblings, dependents, and my aging mother. My future plan is to have a good job so that I will be able to take care of my siblings, children, and also help my church and the community.

Your support not only helps pay for my tuition, fees, books, and supplies, but it gives me hope and courage, and allows me to focus more on my studies. Coming from where I learn by writing in the dust and having no pencil or book to write on. I continue to work hard in my classes having a GPA of 3.6 which helps me get some scholarship, awards and recognition. All these could not have happen if not for your support.

As always, I will forever remain grateful for this kind and generous gesture. I will want to assure all those supported in one way or the other, that your support and contribution to my education is a contribution to my entire community especially those little children that face neglect from the government rendering them hopeless. It is my prayer that God will give me the heart to do unto those in need as it has been done unto me. I always remain grateful for this generosity as it puts a smile of hope, and courage on my face when I am in need of financial assistance to pursue my goals in education.

I was mocked and called names for not attaining a higher level in education while getting older by friends whom they were opportune to attend high level in education. I was challenged to start somewhere even I am getting older. When Diana, the America's most celebrated long-distance swimmer had successfully completed the dangerous, marathon swim at the age of 64. She proved it could be done. In her inspiring messages she says “you should never, ever give up and you’re never too old to chase your dream.” If she can make it at the age of 64, I can also make it. She further says “it looks like a solitary sport, but it is a team," INP, Your support demonstrated a team work toward my education.

Today is a particular honored to me, my entire community, and my tribe to be the only and the first person to attend school in the United State. With your support, I see hope in the face of difficulties, a hope for every child a right to education, and a hope in the future of my entire community and children.

Thank you. Davidson D. Adams

We are planning to celebrate the 25 years of Iowa Nigeria Partnership at the Iowa Annual Conference on June 8.

You are welcome to wear ethnic dress, check out the Picture Walk of photographs taken by our Iowa work teams, view the Nigerian village display and attend the INP Celebratory dinner at First UM Church at 5:30 PM. More details are forthcoming.

Any financial support you wish to make for educational programs in Nigeria (scholarships for Davidson, for Yahuda Zailani and Uzajja Dauda getting Master’s Degrees at Africa University, or funding home renovations of Banyam Theological Seminary staff members, toilet facilities for seminary students, the purchase of Kindles for all seminary students), you may send funds through your local church to the conference treasurer marked: INP, #230 and your designation. Education is the only way we will change ourselves and the world.